BT Technology – Page 21
-
Corporate
Openreach’s Selley in the dark about Drahi’s aims
Openreach CEO has met the Altice UK owner several times over the years. Selley sees BT as a “very good owner” that has the UK government’s ear.
-
Innovation (R&D)
UAE lab provides blueprint for BT’s university partnerships
BT using success of EBTIC collaboration to inform university partnerships in Ireland and India, building ties with local academics to support Adastral Park R&D. BT- and Khalifa University-backed EBTIC showcases collaborative innovation projects as partnership enters “Phase 3”.
-
Premium
EE claims positives in ESN progress report
EE has upgraded 19,500 masts for the ESN. Extended Area Service sites and PTT system remain ongoing hurdles.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in BT Technology: 6G not close - Watson
6G benefits a long way off according to CTO Howard Watson; BT launches EcoLab zero-carbon construction pilot.
-
Premium
EE leans on Nokia for outdoor small cells
200 street-level 4G small cells rolled out in UK. 5G small-cell trials to start “soon”. Outdoor minicell trials with other suppliers in pipeline.
-
Premium
BT rules out frontrunner role in 5G SA
Group expects to launch 5G standalone in early-2023 as it waits for device volume to ramp up. Marc Allera emphasises importance of clearly differentiating 5G SA benefits to customers. Howard Watson weighs in on the cloud native challenge. Rob Shuter sees BT’s new Division X as the “arrow point ...
-
Strategy & Change
Mehta puts BT Digital “on steroids” to power transformation
Chief Digital & Innovation Officer Harmeen Mehta relishes opportunity for dramatic change at BT, as she sets about untangling digital architecture. Google-powered Digital Brain to bolster AI and data platform. Digital jumps on cost savings bandwagon, with £500m contribution expected. Talent and recruitment drive incoming.
-
Innovation (R&D)
BT ‘leaning in’ on UK’s science superpower bid, says R&D chief Whitley
Exec backs government’s research ambitions, with added emphasis on private sector adoption. BT, as a top-five UK R&D player, brings real-world experience blending academia and down-streaming outcomes. Pragmatism over future engagement with Horizon, EU’s politicised R&D programme.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Cellnex wins over BT and CMA to secure Hutchison UK tower merger
BT appeased by recent strengthening of its own Cellnex partnership. Cellnex to complete €10bn, six-country deal following approval of UK merger.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Openreach hits pause on community fibre programme
Fibre Community Partnership initiative now closed to new registrations as demand soars. Books will reopen once the backlog is cleared. Openreach claims “extreme” popularity as FCP reached 2,050 communities.
-
Products & Services
BT taps Cradlepoint for 5G FWA rollout
FWA solution goes live in 33 countries. Ericsson-owned Cradlepoint acts as ‘key equipment partner’ in bringing the product to market. BT aims to support hybrid networking models.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
BT strikes improved deal for Cellnex site access
“Enhanced” terms for a site services deal in place until at least 2031 will support EE’s 5G upgrade in key areas. Cellnex asserting its pro-competitive credentials as it slams the CMA for overstepping its remit in questioning the InfraCo’s planned acquisition of CK Hutchison’s UK towers.
-
Innovation (R&D)
BT breaks ground on sustainable housing project
BT and partners New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Suffolk began construction on the EcoLab zero-carbon affordable home project. Forms part of Adastral Park’s DigiTech Centre, building on ties with the Group’s university partner.
-
Network & Infrastructure
BT wants more suppliers to support quantum leap
Operator wants to bring down tech costs to help commercialise new set of services being prepared with next-gen encryption. Comments come with telco weeks away from debuting its first quantum-enabled metro network. Telco prepping international quantum security services play.
-
Network & Infrastructure
“Huge volume of work ahead”: Openreach details storm recovery efforts
Eunice and Franklin repairs ongoing, but still almost 20,000 Openreach customers unable to access broadband. “Vast majority” down to power outages. About 100 Openreach poles damaged alongside 300 green roadside cabinets.
-
M&A
BT Italia offloads SAP services subsidiary
BT Global continues ‘global not national’ streamlining programme with the sale of Italian IT outsourcing outfit ERPTech. €4m+ deal leaves Italia lightweight but focused.
-
Venturing & Investments
BT opens venturing wallet for on-demand talent pool startup
Startup acceleration ambition kickstarted with minority stake in Distributed. New acquisition to provide BT access to on-demand software engineering teams to support development projects, with connected healthcare solutions first up. BT’s Harmeen Mehta hopes such partnerships will alleviate skills shortage pressures and drive her digitalisation agenda.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Telcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
-
Suppliers & SCM
Chipset shortages delay Openreach provisioning
Ongoing chipset shortages lead to Ethernet product delays at Openreach, adding to problems flagged last year. Semiconductor supply and demand imbalance set to last at least another twelve months. Supply chain problems a recurring theme at BT, too.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in BT Technology: FWA trial underway at Adastral Park
BT joins partner list for entertainment R&D hub; FWA trial launched by Adastral Park.